OHID named commissioning body for incoming statutory levy

The UK government has chosen the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) to oversee the incoming statutory levy imposed on operators, with the reaction to the decision mixed throughout the industry.

Formally announced in November by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the incoming statutory levy will come into effect from April and will fund NHS services related to gambling-related harm.

Operators will hand over between 0.1% and 1.1% of respective gross gambling yield (GGY), while the levy is expected to raise £100m a year for research, education and treatment (RET).

Of the generated funds, 50% will be funnelled towards NHS England and equivalent bodies in Wales and Scotland. Almost a third (30%) will be directed at preventative measures to tackle gambling-related harm.

The remaining 20% will be used to develop research programmes on gambling.

In the past, operators have been encouraged to contribute 0.1% of annual GGY on a voluntary basis, while those that generate less than £250,000 were asked to contribute just £250.

In the November announcement, the government stated it would establish “appropriate governance” to monitor the health and impact of the levy system, with the OHID now named as the body to take on that role.

Also included in the levy governance is the Gambling Levy Programme Board (GLPB) and the Gambling Levy Advisory Group.

The GLPB will serve as the “central oversight mechanism” for the government and will have final ruling on allocation and sign-off on where levy funds are distributed. The GLPB will be formed from government departments, including the Treasury and DCMS.

The advisory group, to be formed by various stakeholders including academics and those with lived experience, will support the commissioning bodies in decided where funding is allocated.

Explaining the move, DCMS minister Stephanie Peacock said prevention remains a “crucial part” of the government’s efforts with tackling gambling-related harm.

She added that the OHID will “seek to develop a comprehensive approach to prevention and early intervention, supporting improvement across respective nations”.

Peacock said: “OHID and appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales will undertake necessary design work to determine the final scope of prevention activity, working closely with the research and treatment leads to ensure a joined-up approach.

“We will develop and provide clear and measurable outcomes for the prevention strand of the statutory levy system, as we have already done for research and treatment.”

Industry reaction

Following the announcement, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) said it backed the introduction of a mandatory levy, though the trade body did air concerns over the OHID’s new role.

OHID, and its predecessor, Public Health England, have both had their research into gambling called into question for using speculative methods and taking a draconian approach to gambling regulation.

A 2023 report from the OHID was accused of relying on a Swedish study to extrapolate the number of suicides caused by gambling-related harm, with the original study having been questioned due to its small sample size.

The report, in turn, estimated there were between 117 and 496 suicides per year in England due to gambling. These statistics have in turn been used by reform lobbyists although have faced pushback from the industry for their lack of certainty and scientific basis.

The BGC also called on the government to “not lose sight” of that fact it is estimated that 0.4% of the adult population are deemed problem gamblers, according to the NHS Health Survey for England.

A BGC statement read: “Given OHID’s previous flawed report on gambling in 2023 it is essential the levy board has strict oversight of OHID and these significant funds, including enforcing a clear set of protocols to ensure transparency, a programme of evaluation plus a regime of external auditing.

“BGC members and licensed operators voluntarily contributed over £170m over the last four years to tackle problem gambling and gambling related harm, including £50m in 2024, funding an independent network of charities currently caring for 85% of all problem gamblers receiving treatment in Britain.

“Ministers must not lose sight of the fact that the vast majority of the 22.5 million people who enjoy a bet each month, on the lottery, in bookmakers, casinos, bingo halls and online, do so safely, while the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that just 0.4% of the adult population are problem gamblers.”

A joint statement from GambleAware CEO Zoë Osmond and the chair of GambleAware Trustees Prof Siân Griffiths welcomed the OHID’s appointment.

The statement read: “We welcome the appointment by the government of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities to the role of prevention commissioner within the new statutory system for addressing gambling harms.

“At GambleAware, we have long advocated for a statutory, government-led approach to addressing gambling harm. Tackling gambling harm is a serious public health issue, with millions affected every year. 

“We look forward to working in collaboration with the government and the three new commissioners to build on the strong capabilities within the gambling harms sector to ensure a smooth and safe transition to the new system.”

“We will strive to play our full part in the future system in whichever way best ensures a collaborative and effective system is created to move us towards our vision of a society free from gambling harm.”

Meanwhile, Lord Foster of Bath, chair of the Peers for Gambling Reform, said: “This announcement provides much-need certainty regarding the independence of funding for prevention.

“We have consistently called for independent oversight and a stronger public health response to gambling-related harm, and now we look forward to working with the government to ensure the statutory levy is implemented effectively.”